109 Shelden Avenue
This building still retains its old Kirkish sign, painted on the west side of the building.
Originally built as a public hall in 1910, this building was known at the time as the “Odd Fellows Temple.” This status remained until 1937, when George Kirkish began to rent out the building for his furniture store, Kirkish. George Kirkish officially purchased the building in 1950. George ran and owned the furniture store in this building with help from his sons Dan, Harry, and Fred Kirkish. The Kirkish family retained ownership of the building until 1995 when Michael Jestila bought the building and turned it into Backroom Multi Entertainment. This store closed in 2013 and the building is now in the possession of the City of Houghton.
This building stands at three stories high and is supported by a steel frame. The first floor of the exterior is covered in Jacobsville sandstone and the top two floors are covered in brick. The building exhibits some features of the Neo Classical Revival style on its entrance. This building has been left unmaintained and it no longer contains its original cornice.
Sources: Csmarich, J. & Klappa, P. (2000, May 12) City of Houghton Blocks 9 and 11. Report prepared for SS 422 History of American Architecture at Michigan Technological University; The Mining Gazette. (2013, May 23). City of Houghton to clean up Backroom. The Daily Mining Gazette.; Davis, M. (n.d.). Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Copper Country Architects.; Image: 109 Shelden Ave. (c. 1920-1930). photograph, Houghton, MI.